2006 Minnesota Statutes

245.98 COMPULSIVE GAMBLING TREATMENT PROGRAM.
    Subdivision 1. Definition. For the purposes of this section, "compulsive gambler" means
a person who is chronically and progressively preoccupied with gambling and with the urge to
gamble to the extent that the gambling behavior compromises, disrupts, or damages personal,
family, or vocational pursuits.
    Subd. 2. Program. The commissioner of human services shall establish a program for the
treatment of compulsive gamblers. The commissioner may contract with an entity with expertise
regarding the treatment of compulsive gambling to operate the program. The program may include
the establishment of a statewide toll-free number, resource library, public education programs;
regional in-service training programs and conferences for health care professionals, educators,
treatment providers, employee assistance programs, and criminal justice representatives; and the
establishment of certification standards for programs and service providers. The commissioner
may enter into agreements with other entities and may employ or contract with consultants to
facilitate the provision of these services or the training of individuals to qualify them to provide
these services. The program may also include inpatient and outpatient treatment and rehabilitation
services and research studies. The research studies must include baseline and prevalence studies
for adolescents and adults to identify those at the highest risk. The program must be approved
by the commissioner before it is established.
    Subd. 2a. Assessment of certain offenders. The commissioner shall adopt by rule criteria
to be used in conducting compulsive gambling assessments of offenders under section 609.115,
subdivision 9 . The commissioner shall also adopt by rule standards to qualify a person to: (1)
assess offenders for compulsive gambling treatment; and (2) provide treatment indicated in
a compulsive gambling assessment. The rules must specify the circumstances in which, in the
absence of an independent assessor, the assessment may be performed by a person with a direct or
shared financial interest or referral relationship resulting in shared financial gain with a treatment
provider.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1995 c 207 art 11 s 12]
    Subd. 4. Contribution by tribal gaming. The commissioner of human services is
authorized to enter into an agreement with the governing body of any Indian tribe located within
the boundaries of the state of Minnesota that conducts either class II or class III gambling, as
defined in section 4 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Public Law 100-497, and future
amendments to it, for the purpose of obtaining funding for compulsive gambling programs from
the Indian tribe. Prior to entering into any agreement with an Indian tribe under this section, the
commissioner shall consult with and obtain the approval of the governor or governor's designated
representatives authorized to negotiate a tribal-state compact regulating the conduct of class III
gambling on Indian lands of a tribe requesting negotiations. Contributions collected under this
subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner of human services for the compulsive gambling
treatment program under this section.
    Subd. 5. Standards. The commissioner shall create standards for treatment and provider
qualifications for the treatment component of the compulsive gambling program.
History: 1989 c 334 art 7 s 1; 1991 c 336 art 2 s 7; 1993 c 146 art 3 s 7; 1995 c 86 s 1;
1997 c 203 art 9 s 3